Home Smoke Alarms

Follow these tips to make sure your smoke alarms are keeping you safe:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home.
• Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button and replace batteries at least once a year or immediately if the alarm makes a chirping sound.
• Smoke rises; install smoke alarms following manufacturer’s instructions high on a wall or on a ceiling.

• Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year lithium (or long-life) batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner.
• Be sure the smoke alarm has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• If cooking fumes or steam sets off nuisance alarms, replace the alarm with an alarm that has a “hush” button. A “hush” button will reduce the alarm’s sensitivity for a short period of time.
• An ionization alarm with a hush button or a photoelectric alarm should be used if the alarm is within 20 feet of a cooking appliance.
• Smoke alarms that include a recordable voice announcement in addition to the usual alarm sound, may be helpful in waking children through the use of a familiar voice.
• Special smoke alarms are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Smoke rises; install smoke alarms following manufacturer’s instructions high on a wall or on a ceiling.

• Special smoke alarms are available for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have other disabilities.

For more smoke alarm tips, visit the NFPA.